Temporary vent opening cover

Abstract

A temporary vent opening cover is disclosed which is securable over a vent opening in a floor or other surface during building construction to prevent debris from entering the vent opening and accumulating in duct work associated therewith. The cover includes a generally flat cover plate which is sized and shaped to cover the vent opening. The cover plate is spaced outwardly from the surface when the vent opening cover is secured over the vent opening. A plurality of air passages allow air to flow past the cover plate between the duct work and the workspace. A layer of air filter material covers the air passages and prevents debris from passing therethrough. A portion of cover plate may be dedicated to the display of promotional indicia.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
       1. A temporary vent opening cover securable over a vent opening in a surface of a room during building construction to prevent debris from entering the vent opening and accumulating in duct work associated therewith, comprising: 
       a) a cover plate sized and shaped to cover the vent opening, said cover plate having a central portion sized somewhat larger than said vent opening, a peripheral portion surrounding said central portion, an inner face and an outer face;  
       b) a plurality of legs extending outwardly from said inner face of said cover plate along said peripheral portion, said legs adapted to space said inner face outwardly from the surface a first distance when said vent opening cover is secured over the vent opening;  
       c) a plurality of first air passages formed between said legs; and  
       d) a pad of air filter material sized to be somewhat larger than the vent opening, said pad having a first face, a second face, and a thickness approximately equal to or greater than said first distance, said first face of said pad being secured to said inner face of said central portion of said cover plate such that said pad extends across said first air passages and inhibits the passage of debris therethrough.  
     
     
       2. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1 , wherein said cover plate outer face includes a flat and contiguous portion thereof sized to be viewable by a person standing in the room to display promotional indicia thereon. 
     
     
       3. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1 , wherein said legs are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       4. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1 , wherein said legs are ribs oriented transversely to the narrow dimension of said peripheral portion. 
     
     
       5. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1 , wherein said filter material is attached to said cover plate by a plurality of hooks protruding from said cover plate inner face and penetrating said filter material. 
     
     
       6. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 5 , wherein said hooks are arranged in pairs, the hooks in each pair being closely spaced to each other and having respective barbs pointing in opposing directions. 
     
     
       7. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1 , and further including a plurality of second air passages formed through said central portion of said cover plate such that said pad of air filter material extends across said second air passages and inhibits the passage of debris therethrough. 
     
     
       8. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 7 , wherein said second air passages are formed through only a first part of said central portion of said cover plate so as to leave a second nonperforated part of said central portion outer face free for the display of promotional indicia. 
     
     
       9. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1  which further includes a plurality of registration pegs extending outwardly from said cover plate inner face for locating said vent opening cover relative to the vent opening. 
     
     
       10. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1  wherein said cover plate has a strength sufficient to support the weight of a person. 
     
     
       11. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 1  wherein said cover plate is brightly colored to serve as a hazard warning. 
     
     
       12. A temporary vent opening cover securable over a vent opening in a surface of a room during building construction to prevent debris from entering the vent opening and accumulating in duct work associated therewith, comprising: 
       a) a cover plate sized and shaped to cover the vent opening and a portion of the surface surrounding said vent opening, said cover plate having an inner face and an outer face;  
       b) a plurality of legs extending outwardly from said inner face and adapted to engage the surface so as to space said inner face outwardly from the surface a first distance when said vent opening cover is secured over the vent opening;  
       c) a plurality of first air passages formed between said legs; and  
       d) a pad of air filter material sized to be somewhat larger than the vent opening, said pad having a thickness approximately equal to or greater than said first distance, said pad being secured to said inner face of said cover plate such that said pad extends across said first air passages and inhibits the passage of debris therethrough.  
     
     
       13. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 12 , wherein said cover plate outer face includes a flat and contiguous portion thereof sized to be viewable by a person standing in the room to display promotional indicia thereon. 
     
     
       14. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 12 , and further including a plurality of second air passages formed through said central portion of said cover plate such that said pad of air filter material extends across said second air passages and inhibits the passage of debris therethrough. 
     
     
       15. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 14 , wherein said second air passages are formed through only a first part of said cover plate so as to leave a second nonperforated part of said outer face free for the display of promotional indicia. 
     
     
       16. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 14  wherein said cover plate has a strength sufficient to support the weight of a person. 
     
     
       17. The temporary vent opening cover as in  claim 12  which further includes a plurality of registration pegs extending outwardly from said cover plate inner face for locating said vent opening cover relative to the vent opening.